Unemployment Rates Decline in 72 Counties in August, Over-the-Year Rates Down in 92 Counties Across NC

Published Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 1:53 pm

Oct. 3, 2012. Unemployment rates decreased in 72 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in August, increased in 18 and were unchanged in 10. When compared to the same month last year, unemployment rates declined in 92 counties, increased in six, and remained the same in two.

Boone has a workforce of 24,603 while 2,036 are unemployed, which represents a 8.3 percent unemployment rate.

North Carolina had 39 counties that were at or below the state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. Unemployment rates decreased in 13 of the state’s 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The rate increased in the Fayetteville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The number of workers employed (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in August by 29,377 to 4,219,378, while those unemployed fell 12,777 to 451,806. Since August 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased 51,092, while those employed increased 52,752.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in August at 4.7 percent, and Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 17.2 percent. It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted series.

The state unemployment rate for September will be released on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012.